Photo Credit: U.S. C.G. Coast Guard, Marine crews collaborate in joint training exercise in San Diego
A Coast Guard Sector San Diego air crewmember drops a line to the Marine Corps 1st Reconnaissance Battalion small boat crew below, which allows them to coordinate and hoist a rescue basket from the boat to the helicopter during a hoist training
Publications Now Available as Print-on-Demand
The two books that the USLSSHA produced are now available by print-on-demand at lulu.com. Search for either “They Had to Go Out” or “Rescue: The Stories of the U.S. Life-Saving Service” edited by John Galluzzo. If you have not added these two books to your library here is your chance to do so.
Chronology of Coast Guard History
If you were looking for a link to a chronology of Coast Guard History here is that link. https://www.history.uscg.mil/research/chronology/
Wallops Beach Station Again Looking for a New Home
Photo Credit: NASA
This call will stay in Life Lines each month until we determine that the structures have been saved or time has run out and they have been demolished. If you can help please do so now.
The Wallops Beach Station in Virginia needs someone willing to take and move the structures from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility. Both the station and the tower could be yours. NASA will demolish the structure in 2021 to reduce their mandated allotted square footage, but there is still time. If someone is interested in moving these structures please contact:
Steve Taylor
Realty Specialist
NASA Wallops Flight Facility
Bldg N-161, Rm 135
Work: 757-824-1194
Cell: 503-317-0073
White House Taps Vice Adm. Linda Fagan for Coast Guard Vice Commandant
Photo Credit: US Coast Guard Photo. Vice Adm. Linda Fagan, Pacific Area Commander, drops in on chief’s call with Pacific Area Command Master Chief Heath Jones aboard Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) on Sept. 16, 2019.
The Biden administration has tapped Vice Adm. Linda Fagan to serve as the Coast Guard’s new vice commandant, a promotion that would make her the service’s first woman to receive four stars.
“Throughout her distinguished career, she has been a top performer and a trailblazer,” he continued. “As the Coast Guard’s first female four-star admiral, and President Biden’s nominee to serve as the Coast Guard’s 32nd Vice Commandant, Adm. Fagan will be instrumental in moving the Service forward at a critical juncture in our history.” If you would like to read more go to: https://news.usni.org/2021/04/19/white-house-taps-vice-adm-linda-fagan-for-coast-guard-vice-commandant
Restoration Work Continues on Wood Island Station
Photo Credit: Wood Island Life Saving Station Association
WILSSA is so happy to report that we are busy getting ready for a big construction season. The pier is expected to be completed sometime in late June and the marine railway, hopefully, by the end of August. The Maine Army National Guard will also be returning in early August to lend a hand. If we get lucky, we will also be starting to tackle the interior finish work. We are nearing the end of the entire restoration. Utilities will begin to be installed and, as you can see above, the full restoration of the Mervin Roberts is moving along nicely. WILSSA can’t wait to see that handsome boat on the marine railway at Wood Island Station, just like would have been there so many years ago! Go to the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBoej2nPov0
See the special cradle below for the Mervin Roberts that has train wheels on it for the marine railway! All constructed and ready to roll… Thanks to Pan Am Railways for donating this special item.
Hull Lifesaving Museum Sets Summer Schedule
Photo Credit: Hull Lifesaving Museum Website
Visit the Hull Lifesaving Museum to see their virtual exhibits, current events, book club reads, and summer schedules.
Check out the online exhibit using lifesavers in their advertisements for Lifebuoy Soap. https://www.hulllifesavingmuseum.org/lifebuoyexhibit.html
If you are in the area sign up for their summer activities. https://www.hulllifesavingmuseum.org/
North Carolina is the Next Virtual 2021 Annual Conference
Photo courtesy of web magazine story Island Life NC
The Committee from 3 local sites have begun planning the 2021 Virtual/Hybrid annual meeting. The host is Historical Wilmington Foundation, with conference planning assistance from the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport, and the Old Baldy Foundation.
As summer approaches taped interviews with local station owners will soon be conducted that will be showcased as part of the virtual portion. Museum sites will soon be filming their site tours. Additional virtual tours of Oak Island and Fort Caswell and the stations that were and currently exist as private residences will be showcased.
A number of these virtual tours will be available to view prior to the September conference date. Notifications with a link will be provided to view these tours when available.
Mark your calendars for the 2021 Conference, Southport, North Carolina on September 23-25, 2021. We are in touch with the North Carolina conference planners and are monitoring the COVID-19 status in their State so those who feel safe making the trip will be able to. Watch this site and Wreck and Rescue for more information.
For those readers looking for Easter Egg quiz prizes check out the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport website and sign up for the virtual 5K run celebrating Maritime Week. No question to answer but the race swag included in your race packet will be a finisher medal, 10% off coupon to the museum shop, and a unisex cotton blend grey T-shirt with Coast Guard across the chest and the museum logo on the left sleeve. Shirt selection is limited, so sign up early to get your perfect fit. https://ncmaritimemuseumsouthport.com/semper-paratus-5k/
Go to the website and make a donation to one of the 2021 conference site hosts and wear your Race Swag with pride.
If you have a story to submit for the next Life Lines please contact us through our website. http://uslife-savingservice.org/contact/